1 : a machine that resembles a living creature in being capable of moving independently (as by walking or rolling on wheels) and performing complex actions (such as grasping and moving objects)
When the next space launch heads for Mars, on board will be dozens of tiny mobile robots that will fan out across the Martian landscape, exploring every nook and cranny.—Michael Bowker
: a machine that resembles a living creature in being capable of moving independently (as by walking or rolling on wheels) and performing complex actions (such as grasping and moving objects)
: a machine that resembles a living creature in being capable of moving independently (as by walking or rolling on wheels) and performing complex actions (such as grasping and moving objects)
When the next space launch heads for Mars, on board will be dozens of tiny mobile robots that will fan out across the Martian landscape, exploring every nook and cranny.—Michael Bowker
often : such a machine built to resemble a human being or animal in appearance and behaviour
While science fiction robots have been capable of independent thought, emotions, even a little cooking and sewing, scientists are finding that endowing a mechanical being with even the most basic human functions is a monumental challenge.—Greg Freiherr
As a sign of the times, palaeontologists themselves have taken to … designing dinosaur robots and displays …—Malcolm W. Browne
—often used before another nouna robot dog
a robot servant
2a
: a device that automatically performs complicated, often repetitive tasks (as in an industrial assembly line)
the use of robots in car manufacturing
… factories run by robots producing many replicas of one product.—Morris Philipson
—often used before another nounFor fluid applications, especially in the automotive industry, the robot arm must have extremely flexible movement.—Harry H. Poole
b
: a mechanism guided by automatic controls
a robot airplane
3
: a person who resembles a machine in seeming to function automatically or in lacking normal feelings or emotions
… seems to believe that professors are robots, students are superficial, grade-hungry receptacles …—Micaela Rubal cava
Word History
Etymology
Czech, from robot compulsory labour; akin to Old High German arabeit trouble, Latin orbs orphaned — more at ORPHAN
First Known Use
1922, in the meaning defined at since 1
Time Traveller
The first known use of robot was in 1922
